Bipartisan bill seeks to allow direct prescribing of methadone for opioid addiction

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Sens. Ed Markey and Rand Paul are introducing legislation to allow certified addiction doctors to prescribe methadone directly to patients.
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Currently, methadone treatment is restricted to about 2,000 specialty clinics, requiring daily in-person attendance for many patients.
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The updated legislation would enable the Department of Health and Human Services to designate additional prescribers for methadone.
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Methadone, an FDA-approved medication for opioid addiction, has faced stigma despite its role in preventing cravings and withdrawal.
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The bill has garnered support from various advocacy groups, contrasting with previous political efforts to restrict access to methadone.

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